0 or 3 credits
Fall 2025 Lecture Laboratory Upper Division
Innovating in our complex world requires us to think strategically and make the best decisions possible for both designing and business development. Accordingly, this unique course brings together perspectives from technology and business management to iteratively prototype innovative solutions to student-selected problems. This process will include creating prototypes in a variety of media, using the appropriate methods/tools, as well as exploring the processes and biases related to how people process information and make decisions. This type of work will help to guide the innovation process by gaining insights from testing prototypes and interacting with people to deepen one's understanding of customer needs, market segments, costs of goods, competitor operations, and market strategies. At the conclusion of the course, students will pitch a viable design solution and business model for a validated problem to a variety of potential investors and/or stakeholders. Note: This class engages the material in both the classroom and innovation labs. Students of all levels of experience will explore tools/programs related to computer aided design, 3D printing, app development, and digital prototyping.
Learning Outcomes1Recognize biases in how people process information, conducting user tests and interviews to gain insights from prototypes to make business development decisions.
2Engage in decision-making strategies to develop prototypes in a variety of media (digital and/or physical) for the level of fidelity necessary to communicate, understand, and test innovative ideas/designs.
3Select and use appropriate methods/tools/equipment to make decisions and prototype innovative ideas.
4Revise designs to reflect a deepening understanding of customer needs, market segments, costs of goods, competitor operations, and market strategies.
5Pitch a viable design solution/business model for a validated problem to a variety of potential investors and/or stakeholders.
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